WA Opposition calls on ministers looking to retire to declare their intentions

The Western Australian Opposition has called on Government ministers looking to retire at the next election to declare their intentions in the next few weeks and consider stepping down from the front bench.

Premier Colin Barnett this week announced the Government would go in "fully prepared" for the 2017 election.

Mr Barnett said he had made it clear to members of Cabinet their positions should be set in stone about one year out from the next poll.

But Labor spokesman Ben Wyatt said any member of Cabinet thinking of stepping down before then needs to come out now and declare their hand.

"I think now, now that Mr Barnett's raised it, for those ministers who aren't standing again, they need to come out before Parliament returns next month and explain when and where, they're going," he said.

"I've never subscribed to this idea that ministers get a lap of victory for a few years before they retire.

"If they're not interested in standing again in Parliament for the long term vision of the state, time to go."

Labor has singled out the Deputy Premier and Health Minister Kim Hames, accusing him of dropping the ball on his portfolios as he heads towards retirement at the end of this term.

"We now have a range of ministers whose futures are uncertain or who are retiring, for example, Kim Hames," he said.

"I think it's time for those ministers to step down, move to the back bench, and allow new ministers to come forward.

"If Ministers are going to retire, then their minds are not on the job."

Dr Hames said he would stay on until such time as Mr Barnett makes a decision about his own future.

He also addressed public anger over the Premier's recent description of pensioners in WA as "grumpy", saying Mr Barnett probably regrets the comment.

"It wasn't meant to offend anybody, clearly it has, and I'm sure he would apologise for offending people that have been upset," Dr Hames said.